Earth auger



J. C. JAQUES Febyll, 1947.

EARTH AUGER Filed Feb. 1, 1946 s sheets-sheet 1 IN VEN TOR. John C. Ja games QM hm WNQ o 0 mi mi A TTOIPNEYS J. C. JAQUES EARTH AUGER Feb. 11, 1947.

5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 1, 1946 IN VEN TOR. John C. Ja g ues ATTORNEYS Feb. 11, 1947.

J..'C JAQUES 2,415,572

EARTH AUGER Filed Feb. 1, 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet s J qhn jaques ATTORNEYS" v INVENTOR.

Feb. 11, 1947. 4, JAQUES 2,415,572

EARTH AUGER Filed Feb, 1, 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 I I H I26 l m 73 7? ATTORNEYS Feb. 11, 1947.- J. c. JAQUES 2,415,572

EARTH AUGER Filed Feb. 1, l946 5 Sheefs-Sheet 5 Arromws'rs @itented Feb. 11, 194' UNITED STATES PATENT orrice EARTH AUGER John C. J aques, Denison, Tex.

Application February 1, 1946, Serial No. 644,684

3 Claims. 1

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in earth augers.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved earth boring unit wherein all of the elements, including the auger, driving and control means and power means, are mounted on a single base or skid frame, thus providing a unitary structure which may be placed on the bed of a truck or other vehicle and extended there from for earth boring.

A further object of the invention is to provide an earth auger wherein the boring tool may be raised and lowered by fluid-actuated means under manual control, whereby the tool may be fed to the work and the boring regulated and fully controlled.

Another object of the invention is to provide an earth auger wherein the boring elements are combined in a unit including, the boring shaft and auger, the mast in which the shaft is housed, the driving mechanism for the shaft and a support for the foregoing and the power plant, all mounted upon a frame to be mounted on a vehicle, whereby the mast may be swung in a vertical arc to raise and adjust the same to the desired upright position and also whereby, the mast may be swung in a transverse arc to adjust the same and compensate a transverse inclination when the wheels of the vehicle are resting upon uneven ground.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved earth boring unit having hydraulic means for adjusting its boring mast together with control means conveniently arranged adjacent theauger, whereby the entire operation may be readily and efficiently handled.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved driving and supporting means for the boring shaft and its mast connected at one end with a power shaft and adjustably supported at its opposite end, whereby said means may be swung in an arc transversely of said power shaft.

A construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafter described together with other features of the invention.

,The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein an example of the invention is shown, and wherein:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of an earth boring unit constructed in accordance with the invention, portions being shown in section,

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same,

Fig. 3 is an elevation of the opposite side of the unit,

Fig. 4 is a rear elevation of a truck having the unit mounted thereon,

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view of the mast and a portion of its driving mechanism,

Fig. 6 is an isometrical view of the rear end of a truck having the unit mounted thereon,

Fig. '7 is an isometrical view of the unit, and

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatical view of the hydraulic system.

In the drawings, the numeral ill designates an elongate generally rectangular base frame which is preferably channel-shaped in cross-section.

The frame includes a central beam ll extending longitudinally thereof and a transverse bolster i2 secured to one side of the beam H and one side of the frame. This bolster is set back from therear end of the frame. The bottom of the frame is flat and is thus of the skid type whereby it may be slid on a flat surface. All the elements of the apparatus are carried by this frame, thus producing a unitary structure. The frame may be mounted on a truck, trailer, or any other form of vehicle, and for the purposes of illustration, the unit is shown as mounted on a motor truck of the flat bed type. The frame it is secured on the flat bed 83 by means of fastenings it or in any other suitable manner and the flat bed is carried upon the usual frame I5 supported on rear wheels it. While the frame ll! is generally rectangular, it has a rearward rectangular extension IT at one side, as is best shown in Figs. 1 and 5.

In additionto the frame, the unit includes, in general, an elongate tubular drilling guide cylinder A, in which a boring shaft 13, square in crosssection, is adapted to rotate and to move vertically. This shaft extends through a gear housing C and has an earth auger or drilling bit D on its lower end. The elements in the gear housing which drive the shaft and which will be hereinafter described, are driven from a transmission casing E in which the forward end of the driven shaft F is connected. The rear end of the shaft F is connected with a suitable clutch G which, in turn, is connected by a clutch shaft H with a standard transmission 1. The transmission I is connected by a drive shaft J with a power plant K, which includes an internal combustion engine and which is not illustrated in detail because such plants may be purchased in the open market.

A is best shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 6, the transmission housing E is provided with a. tubular shank l8 which is bolted to a sleeve l9. This sleeve is rotatably confined in a bearing box 25 by means of collars 2| made integral with the sleeve and engaging said box. The box is rigidly mounted on a standard 22 carried by a transverse base plate 23 which, in turn, is bolted to one side of the frame and the beam H. The driven shaft F extends through the sleeve and the shank and has fastened on its rear end, a beveled pinion 24 which engages a ring gear 25 mounted in the housing. The rear end of the housing is provided with a trunnion 25 which is rotatably confined in a bearing bracket 2'1. This bearing bracket is carried by an upright transverse standard 28 which may be formed integral with a mounting plate 29 secured on the rearwardly projecting end of the main frame It]. By means of the construction which has been described, the housing E may be rotated or swung in an are around the longitudinal axis of the shaft F.

As is best shown in Fig. 5, the ring gear is bolted around a cylindrical hub block 39 which is provided at each end with hubs 3i mounted in ball bearings 32 seated in the housing, said housing being sectional, as is the common practice. As its inner side, the housing is provided with a collar 33 in which one end of a sleeve 34 is secured. This sleeve has a snug rotating fit in a jacket 35 which carries a stufling box 36 surrounding the sleeve adjacent the collar. The opposite end of the sleeve is provided with an outwardly directed annular flange 31 which is rotatably confined between a flange 33 on the end of the jacket and a flange 39 carried on the outer end of a collar d8 secured to the gear housing C. It is obvious that when the gear housing is swung forwardly or rearwardly, the collar 40 and the jacket 35 will rotate upon the sleeve 3Q; also that the jacket 35 may rotate on the sleeve when the mast A is tilted forwardly or rearwardly.

On the outer side of the gear housing C, a trunnion ll is provided and this trunnion is rotatably confined in a bearing box 42 (Figs. 2, 4 and 7), which is carried by an angular hanger 43 pivoted to the lower end of the piston rod d of a vertical hydraulic cylinder 45. The upper end of the piston rod is pivoted to 9. lug 46 depending from an overhanging bracket 41, made integral with the upper end of a standard 48, secured to the rear end of the frame Ill above the bolster l2. The rear face of the standard is fiat and the bearing box 42 is slidably confined on the lower end of this face by stud bolts d9. By supplying a suitable pressure fluid to the cylinder, the piston rod is raised and lowered, whereby the hanger $3 is moved upwardly and downwardly and the gear housing C thus adjusted in a vertical arc transversely of the frame. The elements which have been described permits the gear housing and drilling guide cylinder to be swung from the upright position shown in Figs. 2, 3, 4 and 6 to the inclined position shown in Fig. 7. The drilling guide cylinder is swung to the position in Fig. 7 when the unit is transported from place to place and rests upon a prop 58 carried by the main frame. Since the unit will usually be supported on a vehicle and since the ground may not be level, upon which the wheels l6 rest, it will be necessary to adjust the drilling guide cylinder in vertical arcs at right angles to each other in order to bore a straight hole. The structure which has been described will permit these adjustments.

. der 5|.

The drilling guide cylinder A includes an elongate cylinder 5l closed at its upper end by a cap 52. The lower end of the cylinder 5| is screwed into a flanged cylindrical head 53 which is carried in an annular socket 54 formed on the upper end of a spider 55. The lower end of the head 53 carries a stuffing box 56. The spider is suitably secured on a circular base plate 51 formed integral with the upper end of the housing C, which latter is of the sectional type.

Within the housing, a rotatable hub block 57 is vertically mounted' A tubular shank 58 extends upwardly from this block and has a rotating bearing in the bore of the head 53 and is surrounded by the stufling box 56, as is best shown in Fig. 5. Just above the block 51, the shank is confined in a ball bearing element 59 secured in the housing C. A tubular spindle 60 depends from the hub block 51 through the bottom of the housing C and is surrounded by a ball bearing element 62 carried in the housing. A stuffing box 62 is carried by the lower end of the spindle. The square shaft B has a snug sliding fit in a complementary bore 63 which extends through the hub block 51, the shank 53 and the spindle 60. For rotating the hub block, a horizontal ring ear 64 is fastened thereon and driven by a beveled pinion 65 fastened on the end of a countershaft 66 which extends through the sleeve 34 and is secured in the hub block 38 of the transmission. The hub block is rotated, whereby the shaft B is rotated, but said shaft is free to move vertically while rotating.

One of the novel features of the invention is the provision of hydraulic means for manipulating the drilling guide cylinder. The cylinder 44 for vertically adjusting the housing C has been described. For swinging the drilling guide cylinder A, a hydraulic cylinder 67 is provided. This cylinder has its forward end pivoted in a bracket 68 carried by a cross beam 69' forming part of the main frame [9. This cylinder is provided with a piston rod 1% and is disposed at an inclination so that its upper and rear end may be pivoted between ears "ll carried by a clamp 12 secured around the base of the cylinder 5| just above the head 53, (Fig. 2). By energizing the cylinder 6?, it is obvious that the drilling guide cylinder may be swung to its various positions. For hydraulically raising and lowering, as well as forcing the shaft B downwardly, a tubular piston 13 is mounted to slide vertically in the cylin- This piston is provided with rings M (Fig. 5) which engage the inner wall of the cylinder. The upper end of the shaft B has a reduced shank 15 extending into the piston and carrying an upstanding axial stud 76. The upper end of the shank I5 bears against an internal flange Tl. The stud 16 is screw-threaded and the cone 18 of a roller bearing is fastened thereon by a nut 79. The outer race of the bearing is secured to the inner wall of the piston and the shaft B is thus rotatably supported.

A right angular fluid conducting pipe 8! enters the cap 52 to supply and exhaust pressure fluid above the piston. A similar pipe 82 enters the head 53just above the shank 58 for supplying and exhausting pressur fluid below the piston. For supplying a fluid, such as oil, under pressure, a centrifugal pump 83 is mounted on the base plate 23 below the bearing box 20.

This pump is supplied with oil from a reservoir 84 by means of a pipe 85. The reservoir is suitably supported on a bracket 86-carried by the main frame. The pump is connected with a T Bl by means of an outlet nipple 88. A pressure fluid supply pipe 89 extends rearwardly from the T. The pipe 89 is connected by an elbow 9:5 with the inlet 95 of an operating valve SI, the outlet of which is connected with the inlet of a second valve by means of a nipple 96. The outlet of the valve 92 is connected by means of a nipple 91 with the inlet of a third valve 93, the outlet of which is connected with a return pipe 98. The return pipe 98 extends under the frame and along the beam ii to the reservoir (Fig. 3) whereby the fluid is returned to the reservoir. The forward end of the T 81 is connected with a pressure relief valve 38 and a flexible by-pass conductor 99 connects the valve with a return pipe 99.

The valves Si, 2 and 93 respectively are of duplicate construction and may be purchased in the open market. Each valve is provided with a plunger Ito pivoted to an operating lever IOI, These valves are of the type that the pressure will flow therethrough from the elbow 9a to the return pipe 98 at all times, irrespective of the positions of the levers. Each valve is provided with an inlet and an outlet so that upon adjustment of the lever, a portion of the supply fluid will be discharged from the valve, while in another position, pressure fluid may enter the valve and escape therefrom with the pressure fluid which is being supplied and exhausted therefrom.

The valve system is diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 8. The valve SI is provided with a pair of flow connections Hi2 and IE3. The connection I63 communicates with the pipe 8| at the top of the drilling guide cylinder A by means of a flexible conductor or hose Illt; while a similar hose I05 is attached to the connection I62 and the elbow 822 of the head 53. When the lever I! of the valve 9! is pulled rearwardly, pressure fluid is supplied to the hose I66 and thus delivered to the cylinder of the mast A on top of the piston i3 whereby the shaft B is forced downwardly. Oil in the cylinder below the piston is exhausted by way of the hose 5 to the valve 9i. By manipulating the lever of the valve 9i, the desired fluid pressure may be imposed upon the rotating shaft B.

The valve 92 has connections I96 and I9! simi-' lar to the connections of the valve 9!. A hose I08 extends from the connection I66 to the top of the cylinder 44 while a hose IE9 extends from the bottom of said cylinder to the connection I01. .By swinging the lever of the valve $2, the piston and the cylinder M may be raised or lowered. The valve 93 has connections H3 and ill. The connection H9 is attached to a hose IE2 which is in turn connected to the upper end of the cylinder Bl; while a hose H3 leads from the bottom of the cylinder 61 to the connection II. It is pointed out that the three valves, being mounted on the plate 25, which extends from the rear end of the frame Iii, as is clearly shown in Fig. 6, the operator standing by these valves may readily and easily adjust the various hydraulic elements and. control the boring.

The transmission shaft H being connected with the shaft F (Figs. 1, 2 and 3) by means of the transmission clutch G, operation of said clutch will control the transmission of power to the boring shaft B. For operating the clutch G, a bell crank lever H4 is pivoted on the side of an upright web plate H5 mounted on the plate 23. The upper end of this lever is pivotally connected to a link I I6 which, in turn, is pivoted to the operating arm I I! of the clutch. Adjacent the return pipe 98, a clutch lever H8 is pivoted on a bracket I I9 mounted on the plate 23. This lever is connected with the bell crank lever M4 by means of a pitman I20. By shifting the lever I I8, the clutch G is operated. A similar lever I2I is pivoted on a bracket I22 mounted on the plate 929 adjacent the bracket I'IEI. This lever is connected by means of a pitman I22 with the operating crank I23 of the clutch of the power plant K.

In operating the apparatus, it will he assumed that the drilling guide cylinder A is resting in its inclined position and supported on the prop 5!], as is shown in Fig. 7. By operating the lever IEJI of the valve 93, pressure fluid is supplied by Way of the pipe H3 to the lower end of the cylinder 61, whereby the piston 10 is moved rearwardly to swing the drilling guide cylinder to an upright position. When the drilling guide cylinder reaches this position, the valve lever is swung to a neutral position, whereby the pressure on each side of the piston in the cylinder El is equalized, thus maintaining the drilling guide cylinder in an upright position. In order to aid in bringing the drilling guide cylinder to a true vertical position, a pivoted arrow I25 is suspended on the rear side of the clamp I2 and a second arrow I26 is pivoted on the inner side of said clamp at right angles to the arrow I25. Center pins i2! are provided, and when the arrows register with these pins, the drilling guide cylinder is in a true vertical position.

If the ground upon which the wheels It are resting is uneven, which is frequently the case, it will be necessary to adjust the drilling guide cylinder so: that a vertical hole may be bored. For effecting an adjustment transversely of the main frame, the valve 92 is operated to actuate the piston 45 of the cylinder M, whereby the hanger 42 is raised and lowered and the adjustment obtained. To adjust the drilling guide cylinder longitudinally of the frame, the valve 93 is again operated for this purpose. During this adjusting period, the valve 9| is in a neutral position so that pressure on each side of the piston it of the mast cylinder 5i is equalized, and the lever 521 of the clutch arm I23 is in a neutral position so that power is not being transmitted from the power plant K. The operator selects his rate of transmission and shifts the lever of the transmission I accordingly. The clutch G is in a neutral position and therefore, power is not transmitted to the shaft F.

The operator now manipulates the lever iti of the valve 9| to lower the shaft B so that the auger engages the ground. He then shifts the lever I 63 whereby the clutch G is engaged and rotation is imparted. to the shaft B and auger D. When the proper depth has been reached, the operator actuates the lever H8 to disengage the clutch and interrupt the transmission of motion to the boring shaft. He then operates the valve 95 to raise the auger and shaft. During the boring period, fluid pressure is maintained on top of the piston I3 sufficient to force the auger downwardly as it is rotated.

A panel board I28 is mounted on a bracket I29 secured to the standard 28 and carries a starter button I30, as well as other power plant instruments which are not shown. The starter button is connected by a plunger I3I with the starter of the power plant. It is pointed out that the operator standing behind the valves and levers has the apparatus under full control and does not 7 have to change his position during any of the operations.

The foregoing description of the invention is explanatory thereof and various changes in the size, shape and materials, as well as in the details of the illustrated construction may be made, within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In an earth auger, the combination of a portable support, an elongate drilling guide cylinder, a drilling shaft movable longitudinally in the cylinder and having a bit at its lower end, a gear case pivotally carried on the support, a torque tube extending from said case, a gear housing connected to the extended end of said tube, a trunnion connected to said housing for swinging the housing and tube in a vertical arc,

gearing in the gear case, gearing in the housing,

a shaft in the tube operably connected with both gearings, the drilling shaft being rotatably connected with the gearing in the housing, an upright standard carried on the rear of the support adjacent the trunnion, said standard having a flat rearward face, a hanger having a forwardly directed fiat face engaging the face on the standard, said hanger receiving the trunnion on the gear housing, a hydraulic cylinder vertically secured to said standard and having a piston, a 1

piston rod connected to the piston and extending from the cylinder, the extending end of. the rod being pivotally connected with the hanger so as to move the hanger upwardly and downwardly to swing the housing and the guide cylinder in a vertical arc.

2. In an earth auger, the combination of a portable support, a power plant mounted on the support, a gear case having a driven shaft connecting with the power plant, a sleeve enclosing the driven shaft and rotatably mounted on the support, said sleeve being connected to the gear case, a trunnion connected to the opposite side of the gear case, the case being supported on the sleeve and trunnion so as to be rotatable in a plane transverse to the longitudinal axis of the driven shaft, a torque tube extending from said case, a gear housing connected to the extended end of said tube, a hanger connected to the op posite side of said housing, a hydraulic cylinder vertically mounted on the support connected to the hanger for raising and lowering the hanger for swinging the housing and tube in a vertical are about the sleeve and trunnion, an elongate drilling guide cylinder mounted on the gear housing, an auger shaft mounted in the guide cylinder and extending through the housing, gearing in the housing for rotating said shaft, gearing in the gear ase, a shaft in the torque tube operably connected with both gearings, and a second hy- 8 draulic cylinder mounted on the support and con nected to the drilling guide cylinder for adjusting the gear housing and guide cylinder in a vertical are about the torque tube and hanger transverse to the plane of adjustment by the first hydraulic cylinder.

3. In an earth auger, the combination of a portable support, a power plant mounted on the support, a gear case having a driven shaft connecting with the power plant, a sleeve enclosing the driven shaft and rotatably mounted on the support, said sleeve being connected to the gear case, a trunnion connected to the opposite side of the gear case, the case bein supported on the sleeve and trunnion so as to be rotatable in an are around the longitudinal axis of the driven shaft, a torque tube extending from said case, a gear housing connected to the extended end of said tube, a second trunnion connected to the opposite side of said housing, an upright standard carried on the rear of the support adjacent the second trunnion and having a flat rearward face, a hanger having a forwardly directed fiat face slideably abutting the face on the standard, said hanger receiving the second trunnion on the gear housing, a hydraulic cylinder vertically secured to said standard and having a piston, a piston rod connected to the piston and extending from the cylinder, the extending end of the rod being pivotally connected with the hanger so as to move the hanger upwardly and downwardly to swing the housing and the guide cylinder in a vertical are around the longitudinal axis of the sleeve and first trunnion, an elongate drilling guide cylinder mounted on the gear housing, an auger shaft mounted in the guide cylinder and extending through the housing, gearing in the housing for rotating said shaft, gearing in the gear case, a shaft in the torque tube operably connected with both gearings, and a second hydraulic cylinder mounted on the support and connected to the drilling guide cylinder for adjusting the gear housing and guide cylinder in a vertical are about the torque tube and hanger transverse to the plane of adjustment by the first hydraulic cylinder.

JOHN C. JAQUES.

REFERENCES CITED The following references of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,375,640 Moore Apr. 19, 1921 1,884,716 Johansen Oct. 25, 1932 1,887,172 Snnth et al. Nov. 8, 1932 2,060,814 Lewis Nov. 17, 1936 2,200,075 Calwell May 7, 1940 2,251,013 Donley et al July 29, 1941 

